About the 1st and 2nd COVID-19 vaccinations (12 and up)
Last updated date：2022/7/26
Overview of the first and second vaccination shots (for residents 12 and older)
Who is eligible?
Residents 12 years old and older.
Guardian’s consent is required for individuals age 12-15 to get the vaccine
The vaccine may be administered with consent of the individual’s guardian for those ages 12 to 15. The vaccination cannot be administered without the guardian’s signature on the vaccination pre-screening questionnaire. Also, the guardian must accompany the individual.
When
From February 17, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (planned)
Vaccines used by age group and intervals between doses
Two shots are required to complete the first vaccination.
| Vaccine | Waiting period between the two doses | Eligible age group |
|---|---|---|
| Pfizer | 3 weeks | 12 and up |
| Takeda/Moderna | 4 weeks | 12 and up |
| AstraZeneca (*1) | 4-12 weeks (*2) | 40 and up (*3) |
| Takeda (Novavax) | 3 weeks | 12 and up |
*1 Used at Kanagawa Prefecture vaccination venues.
*2 In order to achieve maximum efficacy, a waiting period of eight weeks between shots is recommended.
*3 People 18 and up may receive the vaccine if deemed necessary.
Waiting period between first and second shots
Even if you have passed the standard waiting period between shots, you can receive your second shot. There is no upper limit for how long you can wait between shots. There is no need to start over and receive your first shot again, so it is recommended that you get your second shot as quickly as possible.
Although the efficacy of the vaccination after passing the standard waiting period has not been thoroughly tested, as a guideline, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States, and some countries in the EU recommend getting the second shot within 6 weeks of the first shot, even if it has been longer than 3 weeks (for the Pfizer vaccine) or 4 weeks (for the Takeda/Moderna vaccine).
Age eligibility
The individual’s age group depends on how old they will be on the day of the vaccination.
Vaccination cost
Vaccinations will be administered using public funds, and are free of charge for everyone.
*However, there is a possibility you will have to pay for doctor fees if you visit a clinic before or after the vaccination.
Mixing vaccination types
While you are generally required to receive the same type of vaccine for both of your first and second shots, in some cases you may be allowed to receive a different type for your second shot (mixed vaccinations). See this page for more details. See this page（外部サイト） for more details.
Potential side effects after getting the shot (side reactions)
The COVID-19 vaccines have been seen to sometimes cause side effects after they are administered, such as pain around where you were given the shot, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, chills, diarrhea, or fever. Recipients will recover within a few days of receiving the vaccine.
Call center for inquiries about side effects (Kanagawa-ken COVID-19 Side Reactions Consultation Call Center)
Phone number
045-285-0719 (open 24 hours)
*Guidance in languages other than Japanese also available.
For inquiries about
Side effects that continually persist after getting the shot or for specific issues that warrant informed medical consultation.
(Introductions to individual health care facilities are not provided. If you wish to be examined, consult your regular physician or the facility where you got the vaccine.)
Consent for receiving the vaccination
COVID-19 vaccinations are provided under the condition that the individual receiving the vaccination is doing so of their own volition with an adequate understanding of the vaccine’s efficacy and side effects. Vaccinations will not be administered without the individual’s consent.
Vaccination voucher distribution schedule
See this page（外部サイト） for details about the distribution schedule.
Where (vaccination venues)
See this page（外部サイト） for details on the vaccination venues.
How to get vaccinated
A reservation is required to receive a vaccination (you can make a reservation once your vaccination voucher arrives). Use the voucher to make your reservation.
Phone (call center) reservations
| Telephone | 0120-045-112 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9 am to 7 pm (including weekends and holidays) |
| Same-day reservations | Only mass vaccination venues will accept same-day reservations if there is an available time slot that day. |
| Available languages | 8 languages (Japanese, English, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Spanish, Portuguese) |
| Precautions | *Take care to dial the correct number. Please also be sure to double-check the number when redialing. *The call center will close even once all reservation slots are filled, even if it is before 7:00 pm. |
Special reservation cancellation number | 0120-045-154 (9 am to 7 pm) |
Reservation by FAX (for residents with hearing loss)
People with hearing loss who cannot make a reservation on a computer or smartphone may make reservations for mass vaccination venues or vaccinations at health care facilities via fax.
Vaccine appointments for residents with hearing loss
Reservations online (reservation website) (in Japanese)
| URL | https://v-yoyaku.jp/141003-yokohama（外部サイト） |
|---|---|
| Hours | Available 24 hours a day |
| Same-day reservations | [Mass vaccination venues] Certain health care facilities will take same-day reservations if there is an available time slot that day. |
| User manual | Dedicated reservation site manual (first and second shot)（PDF：2,627KB） (in Japanese) |
| Compatible browsers | Internet Explorer is not supported. Please access the reservation site on another browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. |
| Cancelling a reservation | If you are no longer able to go to your reservation, make sure to cancel it at least a day in advance in order to avoid wasting a valuable dose of the vaccine. |
What to bring on the day you get the vaccine
| Vaccination voucher | Bring the whole paper with the sticker still attached. |
|---|---|
| Vaccination questionnaire | Fill out the questionnaire in advance and bring it with you. |
| Personal ID | Individual Number Card, driver’s license, health insurance card, passport, etc. |
| Medication record book (if you have one) | To be checked during the pre-vaccination screening. |
- Wear clothing to the venue that allows you to easily bare your upper arm.
- Take your temperature, and if it is clear that you have a fever or are otherwise feeling unwell, you are requested to forego the vaccination and cancel your reservation.
Multilingual information about the COVID-19 vaccine
The pre-vaccination questionnaire, guidance, informational leaflet have been translated into 17 languages* on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website.
*English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Indonesian, Khmer, Korean, Mongolian, Myanmar, Nepali, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website（外部サイト）
Inquiries (Yokohama COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center)
For general questions about COVID-19 vaccinations, venues, etc.
| Phone number | 0120-045-070 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9 am to 7 pm (including weekends and holidays) |
| Language | Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali, Spanish, Portuguese |
| Precautions | *Many residents have dialed the wrong number. Take care to dial the correct number and double-check the number when redialing. |
| FAX number | 050-3588-7191 (for residents with hearing loss) |
